Control system



g- 1940- w. E. GILDERSLEEVE ET AL 2.210.756

CONTROL SYSTEM Filed March 51. .939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Fig. l.

RELAY TRANSFER William E. GildeTsleeve, Edward D. BeachleT,

y Their Attorney.

5, 1940' w. E. GILDERSLEEVE ET AL .21 .7

CONTROL SYSTEM Filed March 31, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 44 45 J 8 PICK UP DROP OUT 459 44 9 458 b DROP aur PICK up -fi+w44 Patented Aug. 6, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT @FHQE Application March 31, 1939, Serial No. 265,210

9 Claims.

This invention relates to control systems, more particularly to systems for controlling the operation of electric motors, and it has for an object the provision of a simple, reliable, and improved system of this character.

More specifically, the invention relates to control systems for series wound motors, and a further object of the invention is the provision of an improved dynamic braking control for a plurality lo of series wound motors.

Occasionally one of the plurality of driving motors is incapacitated, or it may be desirable to operate the drive with one or more of the driving motors inactive, and still have the dynamic brak- -io ing circuit eiiective to brake the active motors 5 a plurality of series wound motors to a source of power supply for operation in either direction, and means are provided for connecting the armatures and series field windings in series relationship with each other upon interruption of the supply of power to the motors to form a dynamic braking circuit with the current flowing in the field windings in the same direction as in the previous power operation, irrespective of the direction of previous power operation.

For a better and more complete understanding of the invention, reference should now be had to the following specification and to the accompanying drawings of which Fig. l is a simple, diagrammatical sketch of the power circuits and associated control apparatus of an embodiment of the invention, and Fig. 2 is a simple, diagrammatical sketch of the master switch and control circuits controlled by the master switch for controlling the apparatus of Fig. l.

. Referring now to the drawings, a plurality of series wound, direct current motors Hi and H are arranged to be connected to a direct current source of supply represented by the two supply lines 52 and i3. Motor ID has an armature member lilo, a series field winding H11), and a series commutating field winding ice, and similarly, motor it has an armature member Ha, a series field winding lib, and a series commutating field winding lic. Although, in the interest of simplicity, only two motors are illustrated, the invention is applicable to a larger number of motors.

Directional contactors it, it are provided for causing the current to flow through the armature i Dato effect rotation of the motor in the forward direction, and directional contactors 55, H are provided for causing current to fiow in the armature its in a direction to effect reverse rotation. Cont actors it, 55, It, and ii are provided with operating coils Eda, its, and El a respectiveiy and with main contacts Mb, 35b, itb, and H17 respectively. Similarly, forward contactors i8 and i9 and reverse contactors 2B and 2! are provided for controlling the direction of operation of motor ii. As shown, contactors i8, 5 i9, 2t and 25 are provided with operating coils [8a, emcee, and 25a respectively and with main contacts 5th, we, 2%, and Eib respectively. The control circuits for operating coils lid to 2m inclusive are not shown in Fig. i, but these op- 20 crating coils, together with their control circuits,

- are shown in Fig. 2.

Line contactors 22 and 23 are provided for con necting motors iii and l 5 respectively to the supply source. Contactor 22 is provided with an 25 operating coil 22a and with main power contacts 22b and interlocking control contacts 2%. Similarly, contact-or 23 is provided with an operating coil 2305, main power contacts 22322 and interlocking control contacts 230. The control circuits in which the operating coils 22a, 23a and the control contacts 220 and 230 are connected are shown in Fig. 2.

Suitable current limiting starting resistors 24,

f, and 26 are included in the armature circuit of motor 50, and similar starting resistors 27, 28 and 29 are included in the armature circuit of motor H. A plurality of contactors 353, Si, and 372 are provided for short-circuiting resistor sections 25 and 26 to accelerate motor ill, and similarly, a plurality of contactors 33, B l and are provided for short-circuiting resistor sections 2?, 28, and 29 to accelerate motor ii. Accelerating contactors Si, 32, 33, 3d, and 35 have operating coils 35a, Sic, 32a, 33a, Ma, and 35a which are shown with their associated control circuits in Fig. 2. A pair of accelerating relays 3t and 3i are provided for interposing suitable time delays between the operations of the accelerating contactors to short-circuit successive sections of the resistors. Although relays 5'36 and 31 may be of any suitable type, they are illustrated as inductive time delay relays. These relays are provided with magnetic structures (not shown) which form a closed path when the relay is ener- 2 gized and its armature picked up. Thus, when the operating coils 36a and 31a of these relays are energized, their armatures pick up without time delay, and when the operating coils are short-circuited, the armatures drop out after a time delay dependent upon the time required for the flux to decay in the closed magnetic circuit. The operating coils 36 and 31 are energized by the voltage drop across sections of the accelerating resistors, and a relay transfer switch 38 is provided for connecting the operating coils 36a and 37a across resistor sections 24 and 25 respectively or across resistor sections 27 and 28 respectively as desired. Relays 36 and 31 are also provided with interlocking control contacts 36b and 3% respectively, and these interlocking control contacts are illustrated in their associated control circuits in Fig. 2.

For the purpose of establishing a suitable series dynamic braking circuit for the motors it and l i, a plurality of normally closed dynamic braking contactors 33, 40, 41 and 42 are provided. These dynamic braking contactors are provided with operating coils 390., Ma, Ma, and 42a and with main contacts 39b, 4%, Mb, and 42b and interlocking control contacts 390, 400, M0, and 420 respectively. The control circuits with which the operating coils and control contacts are associated are shown in Fig. 2.

A multi-position reversing type master switch 56 having a plurality of forward positions and a plurality of reverse positions is provided for starting and accelerating the motors in either direction under the control of an operator. The control of the operating coils of the dynamic braking contacts 39, 40, M, and 42 is so arranged that when the master switch 43 is in the off position, the main contacts of the dynamic braking contactors are closed to establish the series dynamic braking circuits for the armatures of motors Ill and I l, and when the master switch it is in any of its operating positions either in the forward or reverse direction, the main contact of each dynamic braking contactor is opened so that the dynamic braking circuit is disconnected from the operating circuit.

An additional pair of dynamic braking contactors M and 45 is provided for setting up in advance or preparing dynamic braking circuits such that when the dynamic braking circuit is finally completed, the current will flow through the armatures and field windings of the motors in the correct direction irrespectively of the direction of the previous power operation of the motor. These two contactors are of the magnetically latched-in type and thus each requires both a pick-up coil and a drop-out coil. For example, forward contactor 44 has a pick-up coil 44a, and a drop-out coil 34b, and similarly, reverse contactor 35 has a pick-up coil 45a and a drop-out coil 4511. When the master switch 43 is operated in either direction, one or the other of the pick-up coils d la, lda is energized and the contacts of the contactor are operated to the picked-up position in which they remain until the master switch is operatecl in the opposite direction to energize the drop-out coil. As shown in Fig. 1, the main contacts 35c and l5d and the interlocking control contacts 45c, 45 45g, 45h, and 452 of the reverse contactor 35 are in the picked-up position, which indicates that the last previous power operation of the motors I and H was in the reverse direction.

with interlocking control contacts 44c, 44 449, Mb, and 442'.

With the foregoing understanding of the apparatus and its organization in the system, the operation of the system itself will readily be understood from the following description: Assuming that both motors IE! and H are to be operated, line switches 46 and ll are moved to their righthand closed positions. Further assuming the normally closed contacts 38a and 49a of overload protection relays 48 and 49 to be in their closed positions, the operating coil of under-voltage relay 50 is connected to the supply source through a circuit traced from the positive side i2 of the supply source through fingers 43a. of the master switch bridged by the segment 43b, conductor contacts Ma and 49a of the overload relays, operating coil of undervoltage relay to the negative side i3 of the supply source. In, response to energization, undervoltage relay closes its contacts 500. and completes an energizating circuit for the operating coils 39a, Eta. lia, and 42a. of the dynamic braking contactorsthrough the normally closed contacts of the emergency switch 52. Contactors 39, 6.9, it, and 42 open their normally closed main contacts 3%, 40b, llb, and 42b, and

close the normally open control contacts 390, 46c,

lic, and 420 in response toenergization of their operating coils. The closing of interlocking contacts 33c, Mic, lla, and 120 completes the holding circuit for the operating coil of undervoltage relay 56 independent of the segment 43b of the master switch. When the master switch is moved to its first operative position in either direction, if any one of the dynamic braking contactors 39, to, 31, 32 has failed to open its main contacts and close its auxiliary control contacts, the under voltage relay will be deenergized and will open its contacts 58a to deenergize the operating coils of the dynamic braking contactors. As a result of such deenergization, the dynamic braking contactors will close their normally closed main contacts to establish a dynamic braking circuit for the armatures of the motors and open their interlocking control contacts thereby to prevent the control from functioning to connect the motors to the supply source.

Assuming, however, that all of the interlocking control contacts 390, 400, Ala, and 420 are closed, the motors may be started by operating the master switch to its first position in either direction. If the motors are to be operated in the forward direction, the master switch is moved to the first forward position in which an energizing circuit is established for the operating coils 22a and 23a of line contactors 22 and 23. This circuit is traced from the positive side of the supply source through the contacts 50a of the undervoltage relay, through the contacts 390, 59c, lllc, and 420,

fingers 530 of the master switch bridged by the segment 13d, operating coils22a and 23a in parallel and thence to the negative side l3 of the supply source.

Line contactors 22 and 23 close their main and control contacts in response to energization. The main contacts 22b and 23b partially complete a power circuit for the armatures of motors l0 and H to the negative side l3 of the supply source.

Control contacts 220 and 230 complete a short which would result in short-circuiting the supply source.

Simultaneously, the operating coils Ma, l5a, [8a, and 3a of the forward reversing contactors are energized. This circuit is traced from the lower finger 430 through fingers 43c bridged by the segments 33 of the master switch through the operating coils Ma, Ma, [8a, and l9a in parallel to the negative side 13 of the supply source. In response to energization, directional contactors I4, I5, i8, and i9 close their contacts and connect the motors id and H to the supply source l2, l3 for rotation in the forward direction. The circuit for the armature ma of motor 10 is traced from the positive side I 2 of the supply source through the contacts of line switch 46, series coil of overload relay 53, directional contacts Mb, line switch contacts 41%, armature [0a in the direction of the arrow 53, commutating field lflc, directional contacts I 5b, conductors 54 and 55, contacts ite of the line switch, series field lllb in the direction or" the arrow 56, resistors 24, 25, and 26, and through the contacts 22b of the line contactor and line switch to the opposite side of the supply source.

The circuit for the motor H is similar and the current fiows through the armature Ha in the direction of the arrow 51 and through the series field winding l to in the direction of the arrow 58.

Simultaneously with the energization of the directional contactors, an energizing circuit is completed for the drop-out coil 35b of the reverse directional dynamic braking contactor $5. This circuit is traced from the lower finger Q32 of the master switch through conductor 59, contacts 65c (in the closed position thereof), dropout coil lt'b and thence to the negative side of the supply source, In response to energization, coil ltb opens main directional contacts 450 and 45d and simultaneously opens interlocking control contacts 45c and 43h and closes control contacts 51, iiirl, and

Contacts (i5c in opening interrupt the energizing circuit for the drop-out coil 45b and complete an energizing circuit through contacts 446 for the pick-up coil Ma.

In response to the energization of its pick-up coil, forward directional dynamic braking contactor M closes its main contacts 440 and 44d and also closes its control contacts 42, and 44-h and opens its control contacts 44c, Mg, and Mt.

To accelerate the motor to full speed, the master switch 43 is moved successively to its second, third, and fourth right-hand positions,

In the second position of the master switch, an energizing circuit is established for the operating coils 3&0. and 33d of accelerating contactors 355 and 33 respectively. This circuit is traced from the lower finger 636 of the master switch through. conductor fill. contacts 44h in the closed position thereof, conductor 5!, contacts 451' in the closed position thereof, fingers 43g of the master switch bridged by the segment operating coils Mia and 33a, to the opposite side of the supply source. Contactors and 33 close in response to energization and short-circuit resistor sections 2 and 2? thereby to increase the speeds of the motors Hi, i 1.

When the armature circuit of motor ll) was first completed, the voltage drop across resistors 24 and 25 was sufiicient to energize the operating coils of accelerating relays 36, 3'! (assuming the relay transfer switch thrown to the right). As a result of this energization, relays 3t and 3'! opened their contacts 361) and 37b in the circuits of the operating coils of accelerating contactors 3|, 32, 34 and 35.

Short-circuiting the resistor 24 also shortcircuits the operating coil 36a of the accelerat-,

ing relay 36 which is connected across the resistor 24. As a result, the flux starts to decay in the closed magnetic circuit of this relay.

Operation of the master switch 43 to the third position completes an energizing circuit for the operating coils 3m and 34a of accelerating contactors 3! and. 34 after the interval of time required for the flux to decay in the magnetic structure of accelerating relay 36 to allow the contacts 351) to drop out and close the energizing circuit for operating coils 3Ia and 34a. Contactors 3i and 34 close in response to energization and short-circuit resistors 25 and 28 thereby further increasing the speeds of the motors Hi and 5!.

The operation on the fourth point of the master switch is similar to the operation on the third point with the result that the resistors 26 and 29 are short-circuited after an interval of time im posed by the accelerating relay 31, and the motors H) and H are accelerated to full speed.

To stop the motors Ill and H, the master switch 53 is moved to its central or off position in which the line contactors 22, 23, directional contactors H3, l5, l8, and I9, and accelerating contactors 35], 3i, 32, 33, 34, and 35 are opened. The motors l0 and l l coast to rest in the normal manner, However, if some emergency condition should make it imperative to bring the motors rapidly to standstill, the operator will depress the emergency switch 52 to open its contacts. Since contacts 220 and 230 are open when the master switch is in the off position, depressing the emergency switch 52 interrupts the energizing circuit of coils 390;, 40a, Ma, and 42a. As a result of deenergization, dynamic braking contactors 33, 49, 4|, and 42 drop out and close their'main contacts 3%, 48b, lib, and 222). Since the main contacts of the directional dynamic braking contactors remain in their picked up po sitions until the master switch is moved to an operative position in the opposite direction to energize the drop-out coils, the main contacts Me and 44d of contactor 44 remain closed.

Just prior to the disconnection of the motors l8, II from the supply source, current was flowing through the armatures Illa and Na in the directions represented by the arrows 53 and 57 respectively. The directions of the countervoltages of these motors were in the reverse direction as represented by the dotted arrows 62 and 63. Accordingly, the closing of the main contacts of dynamic braking contactors 39, S3, 4!. and 42 completed a dynamic braking circuit for the motors IE3 and ll. The direction of current flow in this dynamic braking circuit is as follows: From the upper or positive terminal of the armature Ha, through contacts 471) of the line switch in the closed position, normally closed contacts of dynamic braking contactor 39, conductor 64, commutating field and armature lila (in the direction of the arrow 62), contacts 462), normally closed contacts 401) of dynamic braking contactor 40, contacts 440 of directional dynamic braking contactor, contacts 460 of the line switch, series field lllb in the direction of the arrow 55, resistor 55, contacts 42b of dynamic braking contactor 42, resistor 66, series field lib (in the direction of the arrow 58), contacts 410, conductors 6i and 38, contacts 44d of the directional dynamic braking contactor, contacts v{Nb of dynamic braking contactor ll, and thence .ative. armature terminal of motor H.

through the commutating field lie to the neg- Thus it will be noted that although the direction of current flow through the armatures ita and lid is reversed, the direction of current flow through the series field windings H31) and lib is the same as during the previous power operation, and con sequently, the flux of these series fields does not have to pass through zero. The result is that the motors are braked rapidly to rest.

If either of the motors Ill or II were disabled, or for some other reason taken out of service, the dynamic braking circuit would still be effective to brake the other motor. For example, assume the motor H] to be disabled, or that for some other reason it is desired not to operate this motor. The line switch 16 is moved to the left to interrupt the power connections to the source and to close the contacts Md and ite. Opening the contacts 46b and 36a disconnects the armature [a. and the series field winding iilb from the dynamic braking circuit, and closing the contacts 46d and 466 completes the dynamic braking circuit with the armature "la and field winding Nib disconnected therefrom.

In a similar manner, the motor Il may be taken out of service and. the dynamic braking circuit will still be eifective to brake the motor l0. Thus either of the motors may be taken out of service and the dynamic braking circuit will still be efiective to brake the other motor.

When it is-desired to bring the motors to standstill Very rapidly, the master switch is "thrown from an operative position on one side to an operative position on the other side thereby to disconnect the motors from the source and to reconnect them for rotation in the reverse direction. This produces a very large braking torque and the motors are braked rapidly to standstill. This operation is known as plugging.

If the power supply should fail when the motors are connected to the power source either for normal power operation or plugging operation, undervoltage relay 511 would open its contacts 500, and deenergize the operating coils 39a, illa, Ma, and 42a of the dynamic braking contactors. This would have the same effect as depressing the emergency switch 52 when the master switch is in the off position, and as a result, the dynamic braking circuit described in the foregoing would be set up and the motors braked rapidly to rest.

The reverse power operation of the motors l0 and l I is substantially identical with the forward power operation, with the exception that the reverse contactors l6, H, and 20, 2| and the reverse directional dynamic braking contactor 45 are closed instead of the corresponding forward contactors. Current then fiows through the armature of the motor M in the direction of the dotted arrow 62 and through the series field winding ind in the direction of the arrow 56. Similarly, the current fiows through the armature of the motor I in the direction of the dotted arrow 63 and through the series field winding Hd in the direction of the arrow 58.

When the master switch 43 is returned to the oil position and emergency button 52 is depressed to complete the dynamic braking circuit, current fiows through the armatures Ilia and Ma of motors H1 and H in the reverse direction and through the series field windings lllb and lib in the same direction as during the previous power operation. The current flow is traced as follows:

.Fromthe lower positive terminalof thearmature Ilia. through conductor 64, main contacts of dynamic braking contactor 39, armature Ha in the direction of the arrow 51, main contacts of dyvof dynamic braking contactor 42, resistor 66,

series field winding llb in the direction of the arrow 58, conductors 61 and 68, contacts 150 of the directional dynamic braking contactor, main contacts of dynamic braking contactor M) to the upper negative terminal of armature lfia.

Thus-it will be noted that the current in the dynamic braking circuit flows through the series field windings ilib and Hb in the same direction as during the previous power operation, and it will also be noted that this is true irrespective of the direction of the previous power operation. Although in accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, this invention is described as embodied in concrete form, and the principle of operation has been explained together with the best mode in which it is now contemplated applying that principle, it will be understood that the apparatus and connections shown are merely illustrative and that the invention is not limited thereto, since alterations and modifications will readily suggest themselves to persons skilled in the art without departing from the true spirit of the invention or from the scope of the annexed claims.

What we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In combination, a plurality of series wound,

motors, a reversing master switch, means responsive to an operation of said master switch for connecting the armature and field winding of one of said motors to a source of supply in parallel with the armature and field winding of another of said motors, means responsive to said operation of said master switch for partially completing a series dynamic braking circuit for said armatures and field windings such that when completed the direction of current fiow in said field windings will be the same as during the power operation, and means responsive to interruption of the supply of power to said motors for completing said dynamic braking circuit.

2. A motor control system comprising in combination, a plurality of series wound electric motors, a reversing type master switch, means responsive to operation of said switch for connecting said motors in parallel to a source of power, an electromagnetically actuated contactor responsive to said operation of said mas-' ter switch for partially establishing a series dynamic braking circuit for the armatures and field windings of said motors such that when completed the current will flow through said field windings in the same direction as during the previous power operation and a second electromagnetically actuated contactor for completing said dynamic braking circuit upon interruption of the supply of power to said motors.

3. In a control system for a plurality of series wound electric motors, the combination with a reversing type master switch of a plurality of electromagnetically actuated contactors responsive to operation of said master switch for establishing connections of said motors to a source of power for operation in either direction, a pair of directional dynamic braking contactors responsive to operation of said master switch for partially cluding the armature and field windings of all of said motors in which, when said circuit is completed, the current will flow in the same direction in said field windings as during the previous power operation irrespectively of the direction of said power operation, and additional electromagnetically actuated contactor means for completing said circuit in response to interruption of the supply of power to said motors.

4 A control system for a plurality of motors each having an armature and a series field winding, each of said field windings having an armature terminal and a line terminal, normally closed contacts between an armature terminal of one of said motors and an armature terminal of opposite polarity of another of said motors, two pairs of directional contacts between the other terminals of said armatures and the armature terminal of one of said field windings and the line terminal of a second of said field windings, normally closed contacts between a line terminal of said first field winding and the armature terminal of said second field winding, means for connecting said motors to a source of power for operation in either direction and for opening said normally closed contacts and closing one of said pairs of directional contacts thereby partially to establish a series dynamic braking circuit for said armatures and field windings in which, when completed, current will flow in said field windings in the same direction as in the previous power operation, and means for closing said normally closed contacts to complete said circuit upon interruption of the supply of power to said motors.

5. In combination, a pair of motors each having an armature and a series field winding, each of said field windings having an armature terminal and a line terminal, normally closed contacts connected between the armature terminal of one of said windings and the line terminal of the other of said windings, two pairs of directional contacts between the other armature and line terminals of said field windings and a terminal of one of said armatures and a terminal of opposite polarity of the other of said armatures, normally closed contacts between the other terminals of said armatures, a reversing type master switch for controlling the connection of said motors to a source of supply for operation in either direction and for controlling the opening of said normally closed contacts and for selectively controlling the closing of said directional contactors thereby partially to establish a series dynamic braking circuit for said armatures and field windings such that, when completed, the current will fiow in said field windings in the same direction as in the previous power operation, and means for closing said normally open contacts to complete the establishment of said dynamic braking circuit upon interruption of the supply of power to said motors.

6. A control system for a plurality of motors each having an armature and a series field Winding, each of said field windings having an armature terminal and a line terminal, normally closed contacts connected between a terminal of one of said armatures and a terminal of opposite polarity of another of said armatures, normally closed contacts connected between a line terminal of the field winding for one of said armatures and the armature terminal of the field winding for said other of said armatures, two pairs of directional contacts connected between the other terminals or" said armatures and the other terminals of said field windings, normally closed contacts between said other terminals of said armatures and said directional contactors, a reversing type master switch for controlling the connection of said motors to a source of supply for operation in either direction and for controlling the opening of said normally closed contacts and the closing of said directional contactors thereby partially to establish a series dynamic braking circuit including said armatures and field windings, such that the direction of current flow in said field windings is the same as in the previous power operation, and means for closing said normally closed contacts to complete the establishment of said circuit upon interruption of the power supply to said motors.

7. In combination, a plurality of electric motors each having an armature and a series field winding, a master switch and means controlled thereby for connecting said motors in parallel to a source, an energizing control device for effecting the connection of said armatures and field windings in a series dynamic braking circuit with the direction of current flow in said field windings the same as during the previous power operation, and means for rendering said energizing control device ineffective except in the off position of said master switch.

8. In combination, a plurality of electric motors each having an armature and a series field winding, a reversing type master switch and means controlled thereby for connecting said motors in parallel to a source of power, an emergency control device for effecting the connection of said armatures and field windings in a series dynamic braking circuit with the current flowing in said field windings in the same direction as in the previous power operation irrespective of the direction of said operation, and contacts actuated by said master switch for short-circuiting said emergency control device thereby to render said device inactive except when said master switch is in the off position.

9. A control system for a pair of motors each having an armature and a series field winding comprising in combination, means for connecting said motors in parallel to a supply source for operation in either direction, means for connecting said armatures and field windings in series with each other in a dynamic braking circuit with the current flowing in said field windings in the same direction as in the previous power operation irrespectively of the direction of said power operation, and means for disconnecting one of said motors from said dynamic braking circuit and retaining said dynamic braking circuit for the remaining motor.

WILLIAM E. GILDERSLEEVE. EDWARD D. BEACHLER. 

